194 BIRDS WITH LONG, CURVED BILLS. 



centre, now beating quickly, now laid out flat as the 

 bird skims forward. The alarm-note opens with 

 detached syllables resembling the word ' Toy I ' and 

 the Curlew repeats them with increasing rapidity, 

 until, with wings laid out horizontally, the bird glides 

 to earth, its cry, as it hovers a moment before settling, 

 being loud, continuous, and laughter-like. At all 

 times of the year the Curlew may be observed on 

 the seashore, walking about the flats near the water, 

 and prodding the mud with its great, arched bill. 

 It occurs also beside inland waters. If the birds fly 

 in company, they form up in the shape of a V, the 

 leader occupying the apex. 



WHIMBEEL — 17 inches ; crown dark brown, with broad, 

 light streak down the centre, the crown of the Curlew 

 being entirely pale brown, streaked with dark brown. 

 The Whimbrel occurs chiefly on migration in April- 

 May, and again in August-September. They go gener- 

 ally in flocks, frequenting the mud-flats, and also the 

 grass lands inshore. The note is a shrill 'tittering,' 

 consisting of from four to six short notes and a longer 

 one, repeated. 



WHIMBREL.— Form, like the Curlew (plate 86). 

 17 inches. Crown dark brown, with broad, pale 

 stripe along the top ; upper parts dark brown, 

 inconspicuously mottled ; lower back and rump 

 white, with dark spots ; wings and tail dark ; 

 face, neck, and breast whitish, much streaked 

 with dark brown ; belly white ; bill, equal in 

 length to about a quarter of that of the entire bird, 

 black, and curved sharply downwards ; legs grayish- 

 blue. Principally spring and autumn migrant. 



